The Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG) and United Way of Central Georgia (UWCG) have established the Central Georgia COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund to provide funding to local nonprofits which will support people and organizations affected by the pandemic.
The fund will assist local nonprofit organizations that work with people affected by the consequences of COVID-19. In order to assess the immediate and future impact of the COVID-19 disruption on our communities, CFCG and UWCG are hosting weekly calls with local nonprofit organization leaders focused on eight (8) key areas: food insecurity, childcare, health, shelter, workforce & small business, seniors, arts & culture, and animal welfare. The goal is also for these calls to facilitate communication between our outstanding partners who are working hard to support the community and address the needs facing our more vulnerable populations.
The fund currently has commitment of $675,000 thanks in large part to a grant of $500,000 from The Peyton Anderson Foundation. In addition, CFCG, UWCG and The Griffith Foundation have each contributed $50,000, and an anonymous donor has contributed $25,000.
“The mission of CFCG is to enhance the quality of life for Central Georgia,” stated Kathryn Dennis, Community Foundation of Central Georgia President. “In response to the COVID19 pandemic, CFCG is honored to partner with United Way to create a funding source that will work specifically to provide area nonprofits with critical financial resources so that those nonprofits can perform their important work on the frontline of response to community needs.”
“We appreciate the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Community Foundation to connect generous businesses and individuals to help those affected locally by the pandemic, both our critical nonprofit partners as well as our most vulnerable families,” said George McCanless, United Way of Central Georgia CEO. “As this public health emergency continues to unfold, we will do our part to help provide assistance in meeting urgent basic needs.”
Both organizations are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. 100% of every dollar will support local nonprofits in this critical time. In order to help assess the most pressing needs, a series of eight conference calls organized by specific areas of focus were started today.
CFCG and UWCG will award grants from the COVID-19 Fund with the assistance of a volunteer steering committee of local community leaders appointed by the two organizations. Donations can be made to either organization. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations in Central Georgia throughout the course of the crisis. The goal is to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs.
You may donate on-line at www.unitedwaycg.org/covid19. Checks may be made payable to United Way of Central Georgia, PO Box 1302, Macon, GA 31202-1302 with COVID-19 in the subject line.
If you would like to contribute stock or other assets please contact Julia Wood at the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, (478) 750-9338.
United Way of Central Georgia is a leading funder of health and human service organizations that have a measurable impact in fourteen Central Georgia counties and impact the lives of one in four local people annually. The annual campaign supports 43 programs along with 29 program partners. United Way initiatives include READ UNITED, MISSION UNITED, PINK PROMISE UNITED, RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), Familywize, FIRST STEPS, myfreetaxes.com, Volunteer UNITED, The Merrie Christmas Project and Parents as Teachers. United Way of Central Georgia also funds a free, confidential seven-days a week, 24-hours a day information and referral line serving all of Central Georgia. Dial 2-1-1 to find or give help. For more information about what United Way of Central Georgia is doing in the community, visit www.unitedwaycg.org.